The blossoming growth of youth soccer in the United States is creating demand for more and more adult volunteers. Oak Ridge is no exception—as the local American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Region is always looking for more volunteers to help grow its youth soccer programs.

AYSO is an all-volunteer organization, with parents, kids, and friends of AYSO working together as coaches, players, referees, and administrators. It’s not unusual to find two, three, or more children in the same family playing AYSO soccer—while Dad serves as a referee and Mom as coach. It can be a family experience like no other that gets everyone outside together.

But here in Oak Ridge, AYSO’s volunteers go well beyond family members. Having seen their children grow up successfully participating in youth sports, many parents whose kids have gone on to college or beyond are still volunteering to help the next generation of youth. [Read more…]

The new Oak Ridge AYSO uniform in classic community colors. (Submitted photo)

By Gerry Palau

The kids playing AYSO soccer in Oak Ridge this fall will be sporting new uniforms—featuring the classic Oak Ridge color palette that includes maroon, silver, and white.

The local AYSO Region Board listened to feedback from parents and the community that the uniform style that’s been worn for years would benefit from an update. While considering options for a new uniform style, a factor that stood out as important was to have uniforms that create an AYSO identity that links to the Oak Ridge community. The new jerseys will echo the colors associated with high school sports in our community, and the new jersey style brings a fresh, modern design to our AYSO teams.

With the start of the new soccer season in September, local AYSO players will get to wear these new jerseys and new colors—both for their home games in Oak Ridge, as well as for the away matches that the older age groups play throughout East Tennessee. [Read more…]

The American Youth Soccer Organization will hold signups for the 2014 fall season beginning Thursday, July 24. Registration will be held at the Oak Ridge AYSO Office, located at 1998 Oak Ridge Turnpike beside the UGO Grocery Outlet.

Registration dates are:

Thursday, July 24, from 5-7 p.m.,

Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.,

Thursday, July 31, from 5-8 p.m., and

late registration on Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Add a $10 late fee to this registration day).

Anyone from age 4 to 19 who is interested in playing soccer is encouraged to register. AYSO was founded on the principle that everyone plays. The league is committed to safe, fun, fair competition, a press release said. You do not need soccer experience—just a desire to be part of this sport.

Both returning and new players can speed up registration by going online at www.eayso.org, printing two copies of the form, and bringing them with the registration fee to signups at the times listed. Cash or checks only will be accepted. [Read more…]